I’ve been hinting for awhile that I’ve been striving to reduce waste and go plastic-free so I got oodles of requests for a zero waste gift guide. And I’m happy to spread the low-waste, eco-friendly, world-saving love!

It definitely feels weird to recommend buying new things to go zero waste, but sometimes you do need to buy a few things to avoid wasting a buuuunch of other things. It also feels odd to gift someone some of the essential zero-waste replacement items like the mensural cup, bamboo toothbrush, and deodorant. So, I’ve collected a few items that are a little more “giftable” and maybe are a special treat for someone that’s already made the low-waste lifestyle change and wants an upgrade to their supplies.

The most accessible way to go zero-waste is to reject single-use items and buy plastic-free. To help folks refuse these items is to get reusable replacements for each. Here are my favorites!

1. Pela phone case: Pela phone cases are made of plants to make them entirely plastic-free and completely compostable! They come in a variety of colors and fit all different phone cases.

2. Earth Love tote bag: When rejecting plastic bags, reusable totes come in handy EVERYWHERE - the grocery store, the mall, the camping bag, the bookstore, the florist, the dentist…EVERYWHERE. This one goes a step further with a nod to the gift recipient’s love for mother earth.

3. Reusable coffee cup: Single-use beverage cups are a big waste generator on-the-go. Traveling with a reusable cup means you - I mean your gift recipient - can refill wherever they go. I really wish I had one of these when the hotel I’m staying at in Seattle had some hot apple cider in the lobby and I refused to use a paper cup. Darn.

4. Pyrex storage: My collection of Pyrex containers is very well loved. I use them at home for leftovers to avoid plastic wrap, plastic bags, an aluminum foil. I also like to take them to restaurants so I can bring leftovers home without getting an icky styrofoam box. Plus, I take them out to places that package food in single-use containers and ask them to prepare it in the Pyrex. I get poke bowls prepared in the se containers at least once a week. The best part is the Pyrex containers are dishwasher, microwave, oven, and freezer safe.

5. Metal straws: Straws are one of the easiest things to give up and also a big polluter. Metal straws are a great replacement while on the go or for a host to serve with their cocktails.

6. Reusable towels: As a clean freak, I used a number of paper towels back in the day. But earlier this year I hid them away and committed to reaching for reusable towels instead, and now I never use the paper ones. I use reusables for cleaning, for drying dishes, and for drying hands.

7. Bamboo cutlery set: This slim set of utensils is made out of bamboo (a highly renewable resource) and are a great replacement for plastic cutlery while out and about. I’m still carrying around my metal utensils from home but they are noisy when they clink around in my bag, and aren’t a slim profile. I think I’m due for an upgrade to these.

8. Metal bento lunch box: Bento boxes have multiple compartments and stack neatly making them a good option for bringing lunch to work. They also work well for all of the scenarios listed in #4.

9. Bee’s wrap: Ditch the plastic wrap for this reusable replacement. The waxy paper molds to bowls as a lid, wraps around veggies, and also keeps bread fresh. I’ve had it for 6+ years and can’t remember the last time I’ve used plastic-wrap. The Bee’s Wrap comes in a variety of designs to fit the aesthetic of your gift recipient.

10. Bar soap: I use this soap as body wash, hand soap, and even on old drawers. It can also be diluted to use as a laundry detergent. Rather than plastic soap dispensers that get tossed after they’re used up, this bar soap is wrapped in paper that can be composted. All of the scents are great, and this set of six makes for a pretty gift.

11. Wooden cleaning brushes: Who says cleaning supplies need to be ugly and plasticky? I guarantee wooden tools will last longer than plastic ones. But, if they break or get worn down, they can be composted.

12. Stasher bags: These baggies are replacements for ziplock bags but do so much more because they can go in the oven, the dishwasher, the microwave, the freezer, and even cook sous vide.

13. Insulated water bottle: There are a billion kinds of reusable water bottles out there to replace plastic single-use bottles. I like this one because it’s insulated to keep things hot or cold for DAYS. Plus, this particular one is made of sustainably-harvested bamboo, stainless steel, and food-grade silicone - no paint, no plastic, and no coatings inside or out.

14. Reusable Produce Bags: Those little plastic baggies at the grocery store for putting produce in? Yeah, don’t need ‘em! For months, I avoided the plastic so I never put produce in bags at all - I just loaded all the produce into one tote bag. But then I got these produce bags that make shopping and checking out way easier. No longer do I have a bunch of mushrooms rolling around in a bag of damp kale.

15. Zero Waste Home book: This book is on living waste free is on my wishlist and came recommended from several zero-waste folks I follow.

Among my top 10 hobbies is deep cleaning my house. Call me crazy, but it’s just my jam. I’ve spent ages perfecting my routine to be as efficient as possible, years finding my favorite non-toxic cleaners, and just a few months to learn how to do it all without any waste. I filmed a quick video of me doing a kitchen deep clean and wrote out my step-by-step cleaning process. Check it out!

The things I’ve been up to and what’s been on my mind this week including appliance shopping, a moody tablescape, the book I’m reading, an architecture event, what to do with our recycling, how to mix wood tones, how I prepare for spring, the super bloom, environmental racism, and re-watching a favorite show.

In today’s Weekly Roundup, I’m sharing a moody dining room, an update on my kitchen design, a home tour of a friend, the artwork I’m excited to add to my collection, a dupe for my office pendant, the best mascara, a compostable hair brush, the movie that shocked me, a bathroom makeover, a retailer that went carbon neutral, and more!

If you know me IRL, or if you’ve been here awhile, you may have noticed I’m really indecisive and over think things WAY too much. I’ve been designing my kitchen for nearly FOUR YEARS now. I made minor upgrades to my current kitchen because I thought we’d only live with it for a mere 6 months. Well, here we are 4 years later and I’m still designing the future space. BUT! I think I may have come up with the best layout that makes the fewest compromises and sticks to a more reasonable budget! Check it out and let me know what you think.

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